Air and other separator



Jan. 30, 1940. G H. FRASER. 2,188,431-

AIR AND OTHER SEPARATOR Original Filed April 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1fy.j.

Jan. 30, 1940. s. H. FRASER AIR AND OTHER SEPARATOR Original Filed April20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R O T N E V N Patented Jan. 30, 1940 UNITEDSTATES ATENT FFlCE 606,407. Divided and this application Decem ber 20,1935, Serial No. 55,423

7 Claims.

This is a division of my original application Serial No. 606,407, nowPatent No. 2,113,586, filed April 20, 1932.

This invention relates to separators or classifiers in which a fiuidcurrent is used to separate fine from coarse or light from heavymaterial, and aims to improve such devices.

Such separators usually comprise a settling chamber, a separatingchamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and.an upper current outlet in communication therewith, distribution meanswithin said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to beseparated therein, and movably variable for vary- 5 ing suchdistribution, blower means for upfiowing a separating current throughsaid passage, for the separation of fine material therein, and currentspace variation means in the path of said current for defining the spacethrough which such current may flow, and movably variable for varyingsaid space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying saidseparation.

Material to be separated has entered in one type of such a separatorthrough a central feed pipe surrounded by a tubular drive shaft, and inanother type thereof it has'entered through an annular feed conduitaround the drive shaft of the separator. My present improvements may beavailed of with either such type.

Such a feed conduit has terminated in a supply orifice above andadjacent the distribution means;

The distribution means has been rotary, and, by. a special operation,has been verticallyor radially movably adjustable, for verticallyvarying the zone of distribution or for radially varying its width, bysaid special operation.

The current velocity regulation means has comprised rotary current spacevariation means, as an upper rotary valve above the upper outlet, or anupper rotary baffle below and adjacent the upper outlet, or a lowervalve above and adjacent the lower inlet, for defining the space throughwhich the current may flow. One or more of these, by another specialoperation, has been movably variable for varying said space, for varyingthe velocity of the currentyby said other special operation.

Types of such separators are shown in my Patents Numbers 1,542,050granted June 16, 1925.

on my application Serial No. 281,445 filed-March 8, 1919; 1,834,095granted Dec. 1, 1931, on my application Serial No. 26,033 filed April27, 1925; 1,876,516 granted September 6, 1932, on my application SerialNo. 737,411 filed September 12, 1924; 1,987,615 granted Jan. 15, 1935,on my'application Serial No. 687,359 filed Jan. 19, 1924; 1,992,942granted March 5, 1935, on my application Serial No. 459,930 filed June9, 1930; 2,055,484 granted September 29, 1936, on my ap 1o plicationSerial No. 514,199 filed Feb. 7, 1931; 2,055,485 granted September 29,1936, onmy application Serial No. 714,961 filed March 10, 1934;2,113,586 granted April 12, 1938, on my application Serial No. 606,407filed April 20, 1932, and 2,148,452 granted Feb. 28, 1939, on myapplication Serial No. 584,140 filed Dec. 31, 1931.

Other types of such separators are shown in my co-pending applicationsSerial No. 1,173 filed Jan. 10, 1935; Serial No. 38,777 filed August 31,1935; Serial No. 80,258 filed May 18,1936, as a division of saidapplication Serial No. 1,173, and Serial No. 93,210 filed July 29, 1936,as a division of my said application Serial No. 606,407.

This application contains subject matter originally set forth in my saidapplication Serial No. 606,407, other subject matter of which has beenprotected by claims in my said Patent No. 2,113,586, and other subjectmatter of which is claimed in my said applications Serial No. 1,173,Serial No. 38,777, Serial No. 80,258, and Serial No 93,210.

The object of this invention is to provide improved means for varyingthe action of a pneumatic or other fluid current separators by varyingthe velocity and path of the current stream and the manner in which thematerial is distributed.

A further object of my invention isto provide improved means forsimultaneously varying said 40 velocity and path and said manner inwhich the material is distributed.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means foreffecting said variations byone operation or manipulation. 45

A further object of my invention is to provide means for varying saidvelocity and path and the manner in which the material is distributed,including a member carried by the driving shaft and connected to thedistributor and the current 5Q space variation means, and simultaneouslyadjusting each of the latter relatively to said shaft.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for simultaneouslyrelatively varying the velocity and the path of the current stream andthe manner in which the material is distributed.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for varying saidvelocity and path coincidently with vertical movement of the distributorin response to variations in the weight of the material to bedistributed sustained by the distributor.

To this end in carrying out the preferred utilization of my presentimprovements, when' utilized with a lower distributor which is movablyadjustable for varying the distribution, and with vertically spacedrotary current space variation means which is movably adjustable forregulating the velocity of the current, I make these coincidentlymovably adjustable and provided coincident adjustment means thereforrevoluble with the space variation means, in operative relation to bothand operable at one operation to coincidently adjustably move themcollectively and preferably simultaneously, whereby coincidently withvariation of the zone of said distribution to simultaneously vary saidvelocity; and I preferably provide such coincidently movabledistribution means and current space variation means are collectively,and preferably simultaneously relatively or reversely movable at oneoperation; and when utilized with the said weight responsivelyvertically moved distributor claimed in my said original application, Ipreferably provide distributor sustained and operated coincidentadjustment means for automatically regulating said velocity coincidentlywith weight responsive movement of said distributor; and when utilizedwith a vertically adjustable distributor, for vertically varying thezone of distribution, and with current space variation means movablebetween an open and a closed position for varying said veloci y, Ipreferably provide for decreasing said velocity coincidently withelevation of said zone, and for increasing said velocity coincidentlywith lowering of said zone; and I provide various other features ofimprovement, all of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which show a part of those originallyincluded in my said original appliaction, and bear correspondingreference letters Fig. 1 is a vertical axial midsection, showing acentral supply conduit air separator provided with the preferred form ofmy present improvements, cut approximately on the plane of the line l|in Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, partly in horizontal sections, cutapproximately on the planes of the lines 2 in Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section thereof cut approximately onthe planes of the lines 3 in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, let A indicate the outer casing, B the innercasing, C the fed conduit, D the distributor, R the distributionchamber, E the drive mechanism, F the blower, G the settling chamber, Mthe dust chamber, H the separating chamber, I its lower inlet, J itsupper outlet, S the upper bafile below and adjacent the upper outlet, Ythe upper valve above the outlet, J, Z the lower valve above the inlet,I, N the dust outlet, K the coarse tailings receiver, L the coarsetailings outlet, 0' the fine tailings receiver, D the fine tailingsoutlet, R gravity valves for the outlets N, L and D, A the rotarypartition between the fine tailings receiver C and the lower inlet, fordefining the return current passage P thereto, 0 the fine interceptorvanes or annular filter across the return current passage, E the rotaryshelf or discharger under these vanes, 02 the rotary grooved ring belowthe shelf E and around the tailings cone K, B the conical tailingsretarder below the inlet I and around the return passage P, 'I theconical annular lower bafiie around the distributor D, U the distributordrive shaft around the feed pipe C, V and X the upper and lower bearingstherefor, 32 the drive gear thereon, q its drive pinion, r its driveshaft, W the gear casing. w the distributor suspenders, y the verticallymovable distributor sustained bearing, and g the counterbalancingadjuster lever therefor, of

the separator shown in my said original application Serial No. 606,407,new Patent No. 2,113,586.

These parts may be of any usual or suitable construction for receivingmaterial to be separated, distributing it in the separating chamber,

and causing a separating current to circulate up through and to returnbelow the latter, to separate fine material therein, and to float suchmaterial into the settling chamber, and to return between the filtervanes and through the return current passage into the lower inlet, andto drop coarser material across the return current passage and towardthe tailings receiver K.

As shown the casing A consists of a flat sectional top a, separablyfitted to a side wall D consisting of separably connected sectionscarried by feet 0, and having a conical lower part d, separably fittinginto a lower dust cone c, for enclosing the settling chamber G and thedust chamber M.

As shown the inner casing B is within and in spaced relation to theouter casing and carried therefrom by brackets f, and has an annular topwall g encircling the outlet J, a large cylindrical side wall Itencircling a large expansion or selection chamber Q in the upper part ofthe separating chamber H, an inclined wall 2, a small cylindrical sidewall 7' encircling a lower distribution chamber R in a lower part of theseparating chamber, and a lower conical wall is encircling the inlet Iand spaced above the open end of the tailings receiver K sufficiently toafford a return current passage P between the inner casing and itsreceiver.

As shown the feed pipe C is suspended from a hopper m with its lowerorifice within the separating chamber.

As shown the distributor D is a vertically adjustable fiat sectionalizedrotary ring or disc within the distribution chamber R and opposite andspaced below the feed pipe C, for receiving therefrom material to beseparated and for centrifugally distributing such material across thespace between the outer periphery of the distributor and the inner wallof the inner casing;

As shown the blower F comprises substanthe inner casing, for outblowingcurrent from h the outlet J into the settling chamber G, and for causingit to circulate down through the latter and in through the interceptor Oand the return passage P, and up through the inlet I and thedistribution chamber R and the selection chamber Q, to the outlet J.These spokes b are shown as carried by a fan hub 2, having an upperrecess a revolubly fitting around an annular flanged collar Z the flangeof which rests on the wall a which collar affords a removable closurebetween this wall and this hub.

As shown the upper bafile S is vertically adjustable below and adjacentthe upper outlet J,

for varying the space therebetween through which the current may flow,for varying the intensity of the current, and is constructed of fiatsegmental plates 2'2 carried by radial spokes 7'2, and is spaced abovethe distributor, for defining the height of the selection chamber Qtherebetween.

As shown the upper valve Y is vertically movable in a valve chamber 11'above the outlet J and below the spokes b, and is encircled by theblades 0', and is constructed of segmental plates 0' the side edges ofwhich are bent downwardly and then outwardly and are separably fastenedto the upper horizontal leg of adjacent radially extended angles 32',and affords recesses n opposite and below the spokes b for receiving thelatter when the valve is fully raised, whereby to permit raising of theplates 0 to flush with the top of the fan blades when the valve is inits open position, to then permit utilization of the entire superficialarea of the blades.

As shown the lower valve Z is vertically movable and consists of aninverted conical ring of segments 22 separably connected at m2.

As shown the partition A, retarder B, shelf E, and annular groove 02 arevertically stationarily carried from the spokes b by suspenders q whichsustain these parts from the blower F, and which rotate these parts andthe baifle S, and the valves Y and 2, with the blower.

As shown the bafile YS and the valves Y and Z and the distributor D arevertically slideable relatively to the impeller q, and are rotatabletherewith.

As shown the fan hub z is fastened on the shaft U, and the distributorhub 12 is vertically slideably I carried thereon, and the shaft Urotates these rotatable parts in the same direction at the same time.

As shown the upper valve Y and the lower valve Z are connected togetherby a vertically movable connection 702, which vertically moves them inthe same direction at the same time, as claimed in my said originalapplication, and the baflle S is connected to the upper valve Y by areverse motion connection T, which vertically P moves one by and inreverse direction to, the

movement of the other, for coincidently reversely moving one from theother, as claimed in my said original application.

As shown the distribution means comprises in vertically fixed relation adistributor member or plate D below the supply orifice and the zone ofdistribution, for defining said zone, connectors u depended across saidzone, and a distributor hub 11 above and adjacent said zone, fordefining the latter, which hub is slidably connected or splined to andrevoluble with the shaft U, and is vertically sustained by verticallyslideable suspenders w, which are connected to the hub v and extendedupwardly therefrom through the fanhubzandthe bearing X and gear 12 toand through a vertically adjustable distributor ball bearing y, withwhich they are rotatably connected by means of a collar :1: to which theupper ends of the suspenders w are attached. The suspenders w are shownas narrow rods having beveled edges slidably fitted in correspondinglybeveled edges of the slots 6' in the shaft U, and thereby positionedtherein with their outer faces flush with the periphery of this shaft,and held in position therein by the inner periphery of the hubs v and z,the bearings X and t, the gear p, and the bearing y. The slots are shownas sufiiciently longer than the rods to to permit the desired verticalmovement of the latter;

As shown the distributor bearing 1 is nonrotary and anti-frictionallyrotatably sustains the distributor D, and is vertically slideable on theshaft for vertically adjusting the distributor, and is separablyconnected to the collar cc, as by a tubular'ring f, detachably connectedto the bearing y above the collar .1: and in movable engagement with theupper bearing V.

As shown the distributor is sustained and vertically adjusted by anoperator lever 9', shown as fulcrumed on the gear case W and asconnected to the bearing y by links m, which lever is tilted by a screw73 to set the distributor in its desired normal vertical positionsuitable to the separation to be effected, in which position thedistributor may be yieldably held by adjusting a spring i relatively tothe lever g to yieldably poise the latter in its desired position afterit has been released by the screw f3, whereupon the distributor may bevertically movably responsive to variations in the weight of the streamof material to be separated flowing on to it, asclaimed in my saidoriginal application.

As shown the distributor is counterbalanced by an adjustablecounterweight 7', carried by a counterbalanced lever 70' which isfulcrumed to the lever g and connected to the lever by adjustable screwsh, by adjusting which to suit the inclined position of the lever g, thelever is may be fixed thereto in a horizontal position, and may fromsuch position counterbalance the distributor in any position to which ithas been vertically adjusted, as claimed in my said originalapplication.

As shown the annular lower bafile T is between the distribution andselection chambers, and'is a sectionalized conical ring, carried by androtatable and vertically movable with the distributor hub 11, andcarries an inclined and upwardly extended rotary scraper s2, spacedabove the inclined wall 2 and adjacent the vertical wall it of the innercasing, and a downwardly extended and inwardly inclined scraper u2,adjacent the wall 7 and spaced above the wall k of the distributionchamber R, which scrapers rotatably resist adherence of material tothese walls.

As shown the wall It is provided with a nonrotary scraper t2, spacedabove the annular baflle T and operable to resist accumulation ofmaterial thereon, these scrapers being adjacent an annular trough shapedtramp pocket or outlet Z for permitting descent of such material betweenthe annular bafile T and the wall 7'.

As shown the retarded B is a sectionalized conical ring within the inletI and spaced around the partition A and above the return current passageP, for retarding discharge from the inlet I and precipitating it throughthe passage P toward the tailings cone K, as claimed in my'said originalapplication.

As shown the shelf E is a fiat ring below the open lower ends of thefilter vanes O, and the grooved ring 02 is a vertical ring below andcarried by the shelf E and around the upper edge of the cone K, and bothrings are connected with the partition A by one or more spokes q2, and

are rotatable as claimed in my said original application.

As shown the inner casing B is carried by a bracket 1' from a verticalpipe 102, and the interceptor O is carried by a vertical pipe 112 withinsaid pipe, and the tailings cone K is carried by a rod 22 within thepipe y2,which pipes are yieldably sustained from the top wall a by aspring $2, and are vertically jarred by a revoluble swinging hammer G,carried by a worm gear H, slowly revolved by a worm I on the drive shaft1', which is rotated by a pulley s. As shown Whirl checks k, in thecurrent passage k2, around the upper outlet J are depended from theupper wall g.

.As shown the dust and tailings outlets from the separator are closed bygravity valves B.

As thus far described in detail the parts specified are those shown andinclude those claimed, in my said original application Serial No.606,407, and as claimed therein contemplate a special operation forvariation of the zone of distribution, and another special operation forregulation of the space through which the current may flow.

My present improvements in current separators, having movably adjustablelower distribution means, and having movably adjustable rotary currentspace variation means, vertically spaced a substantial distance fromsaid distribution means, aim, at one operation to vary the zone ofdistribution and the space through which the separating current mayflow, and to eifect both these variations inwardly of and below theouter casing, and through or within or across said distance, and abovesaid zone, and coincidently and preferably collectively andsimultaneously relatively or reversely, and preferably manually orautomatically with variations in the Weight of the stream of material tobe separated which is sustained by the distributor and by adjustmentmeans including a member mounted on the distributor drive shaft andconnected to the distributor and the current space variation means andconstructed to simultaneously adjust the distributor and the currentspace variation means relatively to said shaft coincidently with and inresponse to movement of the adjustment means.

Any suitable means may be employed for attaining any of these aims, butI prefer to simultaneously attain all of them in a single separator, andfor that purpose to use the construction shown in my said originalapplication Serial No. 606,407 as the preferred form for availing ofthat part of my said original invention as originally set forth thereinto which my present application applies.

To this end I preferably provide a coincident adjustment means for thedistributor and the current space variation means, comprising themembers indicated generally by 1), which members interconnect thedistributor and the current space variation means in such a manner thatadjustment of the one causes a simultaneous movement of the other.

In the particular embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanyingdrawings, the dis tributor comprises the rotatable, verticallyadjustable plate D, and the current space variation means comprises therotatable, vertically adjustable upper and lower valves Y and Z, and theupper baiile S, respectively. The valves Y and Z are shown asinterconnected by a member 702, whereby in this particular embodimentthey move coincidently equal distances in the same direction. Theadjustment means '0" comprises a lever T, which is shown as fulcrumed att. The distributor D, and the valves Y and Z of the current spacevariation means, are connected to the lever 1", on opposite sides of itsfulcrum whereby the distributor and these valves move coincidently inopposite directions.

Suitable connections are provided between the lever 1" and thedistributor D. The link e3 below the bafile S, and the link 92 above thelatter, serve as such connections in the constructions shown. The valvesY and Z of the current space variation means are also connected to thelever through suitable connections, such as the members 8 and 102, shownas such connections.

In the particular embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanyingdrawings the distributor D is rotatably suspended from the nonrotaryadjustment means g, and sustains the connection 63 and the upper baflieS in such manner that these are moved by and coincidently with movementof the distributor, and in the same direction and to the same extent assaid movement. In this embodiment the distributor D sustains thecoincident connection 1) and the valves Y and Z, which in thisembodiment are moved by the distributor in reverse direction to thedirection of movement of the latter.

The lever r is shown as provided with inner and outer fulcrum holes 03,and as detachably fulcrumed at its inner hole to a spider u, which isfixed on the shaft U by a set screw J, and the arms of which have innerand outer holes (13 in juxtaposition to the inner and outer fulcrumholes c3 of the lever r, in either of which holes (Z3 a shiftablefulcrum member it may be fastened so that its upper end is coincidentwith the adjacent fulcrum hole 03 of the lever r, to convert the lever1" into a motion multiplication or motion reduction or motion changemember, and thereby to relatively vary the coincident movementtransmitted between the distribution means and the current spacevariation.

The simultaneous adjustment means '12 is preferably disposed and mountedinwardly of and below the outer casing and below the blower means andthe upper valve Y, and entirely above the zone of distribution, so thatmolestation of it by distributed material will be avoided, andpreferably comprises a means, as 63, upwardly extended within theseparating chamber from a spaced distance above said zone and from anupper part of the hub 11 of the distribution means, toward the baiile Sand the valve Y, and a means, as 3, extended inwardly of and below theouter casing downwardly from and below the valve Y toward thedistribution means, and the lever 1" between and connecting the means c3and s, in such manner that when the distribution means and the valve Yare relatively or reversely movable parts, the simultaneous means willsimultaneously relatively or reversely move them.

The lever 1" is preferably mounted on the shaft U by being fulcrumed tothe spider u, which is preferably mounted thereon below the blower meansand the valve Y, and above the zone of distribution, so that the spiderand the lever will not be molested by distributed material, and theblower means will not be subjected to the weight of the simultaneousadjustment means and the distribution means and current space variationmeans, and these may be adjusted relatively to and independently of theblower means. The simultaneous adjustment means is prefer- The referenceletters used in the drawings repper baffle S, and constructed tosimultaneously adjust these in the same direction and to the sameextent, for coincidently similarly simultaneously vertically varyingboth.

As shown the distribution means and the valve Y are relatively andreversely adjusted by the simultaneous adjustment means 12", which isshown as operated from one and adjusting the other therefromcoincidently with adjustment movement thereof, and as relative orreverse adjustment means between and common to both, and is incommunication with both within or through the material distancetherebetween, as by being extended from one through said distance towardthe other, or by being connected across said distance with each.

Any suitable means may be employed for effecting the one operation formanipulating the coincident adjustment means either manually orautomatically, but I prefer to manually effect such manipulation bytilting the lever g to thereby movably adjust the distributor D, to thehub 12 of which the link e3 of the coincident adjustment means 1; isshown as connected.

According to another feature, my said invention provides for weightresponsively automatically effecting such operation, and when thedistributor D is vertically movably responsive to variations in theweight of the stream of material to be separated sustained by it, asclaimed in my said original application Serial No. 606,407, I preferablyutilize its weight responsive movement to effect said coincidentadjustment, preferably by connecting the coincident adjustment means 12with the hub v of the distributor by the link e3 as shown, wherebyweight responsive vertical movement of the distributor will betranslated into coincident movable adjustment of the current spacevariation means, and thereby the velocity of the current will be variedcoincidently with variations in the weight of said stream.

As shown I preferably provide for automatically effecting suchcoincident adjustments coincidently with variations in the stress of theseparating current, and when the upper bailie S is vertically movablyresponsive to said stress, as

claimed in my said original application, I preferably utiliz'e itsmovement in response to variations in said stress to automaticallyeffect said coincident adjustment, and thereby to effect variation ofsaid zone and of the velocity of said current coincidently, for whichpurpose I preferably connect the upper baffie S to the distributor D andto the coincident adjustment means '0', as by connecting the link e3 tothe upper baflie S and to the hub 12 of the distributor D, in suchmanner that upward stress of the current under the baffle S will betransmitted to and tend to raise the distributor D and to elevate thezone of distribution, and will be transmitted to and tend tocoincidently close the upper valve Y and the lower valve Z, and therebyto diminish said space through which the current may flow simultaneouslywith said elevation. The link 63 preferably extends through the chamberQ.

resent the following parts respectively:

A the outer casing, B the inner casing, C the feed conduit,

D the distributor,

E the drive mechanism,

F the blower means, 2 G the settling chamber,

H the separating chamber, I the lower inlet,

J the upper outlet,

K the coarse receiver,

L the coarse outlet,

M the dust chamber,

N the dust outlet,

0 the fine intercepter,

P the-return current passage, Q the selection chamber, R thedistribution chamber, S the upper baffle,

T the annular baflie,

U the. drive pipe,

V the upper bearing,

W the gear case,

X the lower bearing,

Y the upper valve,

Z the lower valve,

A the inlet partition,

B the tailings retarder,

C the middlings cone,

D the middlings outlet,

E the shelf below the filter O, G the jarrer hammer,

H the jarrer gear,

I the jarrer worm,

J the set screws,

K the whirl checks,

R the discharge valves,

a the outer top wall,

' b the outer side wall,

0 the feet,

d the outer apron,

e the dust cone,

1 the inner casing brackets,

g the inner top wall,

h the inner side wall,

2 the inner casing cone,

7' the distribution chamber wall, 7c the inner apron,

Z the grit return around the bafile T, m the feed hopper,

n the gear cover,

0 the gear base,

p the drive gear,

q the drive pinion,

r the drive shaft,

s the drive pulley,

t the gear bearing,

u the distributor connectors, v the distributor hub,

w the distributor suspenders, an the suspender collar,

2,! the distributor bearing,

a the fan hub,

a the fan hub recess,

b the fan spokes,

c' the fan blades,

d the upper valve chamber, 6 the slots in the shaft U,

1" the ring in the bearing 21, g the distributor lever,

h the adjusting screws thereon,

12' the spring for the lever :i the counterweight,

k the counterbalancer lever,

l the collar in the recess a,

m the links on the lever y,

n the recesses in the valve Y,

0' the plates of the valve Y,

I the angles of the valve Y,

q the impellers suspended from the spokes b,

1" the valve levers,

s the valve links,

it the lever fulcrum members,

u the fulcrum spider,

v the coincident adjustment means between the distributor D and valve Y,

92 the link between the lever r and baffle S,

M the current passage above the baflle S,

i2 the segments of the bafile S,

7'2 the radial spokes of the bafile S,

R2 the rods connecting the lever r with the lower valve Z,

12 the segments of the valve Z,

(12 the spokes for the shelf E,

82 the scraper on the bafile T,

t2 the scraper on the wall h,

a2 the scraper below the baflle T,

212 the grooved ring around the cone M,

1122 the suspender for the inner casing B,

$2 the spring therefor,

2/2 the suspender for the filter O,

22 the suspender for the cone K,

03 the fulcrum holes in the lever r,

($3 the post holes in the spider 11,,

e3 the connection between the link g2 and the distributor hub '11, and

f3 the adjusting screw for the distributor lever y.

In operation, with the constructions shown, at one manipulation the zoneof distribution and the space through which the current may flow may besimultaneously relatively varied, the desired variation of said zone andregulation of said space may be coincidently manually established,variations of both coincidently with variations in the weight of thestream of material sustained by the distributor may be automaticallycoincidently effected, and variations of both coincidently withvariations of the pressure of the separating current under the upperbaffle may be automatically coincidently effected.

It will be seen that my invention provides improvements which can beavailed of in whole or in part, and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular details of construction,arrangement, use, or combination of features, set forth as illustratingits pre= ferred form, since it may be employed, in whole or in part,according to such modifications of any of these as circumstances, or thejudgment of those skilled in the art, may dictate, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

According to another feature of my said invention, when the currentspace variation means and the distribution means are connected togetherand coincidently moved, as by the connection 2;, I preferably providefor collectively counterbalancing, collectively yieldably responsivelymovably sustaining, and collectively moving, these means at oneoperation, and by one collective adjuster, as by the lever g, by whichthese means are collectively sustained, and by one operation of whichthey are collectively moved, preferably from without the casing A andabove the drive gear p, and when these means are rotary, I preferablymake their collective adjuster g non-rotary, and provide a rotatableconnection between it and-these means for collectively sustaining thelatter from it. As shown the weight of the baffle S is compressivelytransmitted by the link e3 to the hub 12 of the distributor D, and thebaffle and distributor are collectively responsively sustained andvertically moved by the lever 9 through the medium of the suspenders wand the bearing y, and the lesser weight of the valves Y and Z isresisted by the lever 1" and the links g2 and c3, and the stress of thislesser Weight is counteractingly transmitted thereby to the hub '0, andoperable in part to counterbalance the weight of the distributor D, andis transmitted through the suspenders w to the lever g, and is yieldablycounterpoised by the latter, which collectively sustains the weights ofthe distributor D and the bafile S and resists the counter-stressincident to the weights of the valves Y and Z.

When the current space variation. means and the vertically spaceddistribution means are vertically movable, and are rotatable together inthe same direction at the same time, I preferably slideably connect themto the impellers q, so that they may slide vertically thereon, and willbe caused to rotate together thereby, whereby to rotate the currentspace variation means and the vertically stationary partition A,retarder B, shelf E, and groove v2 from the fan hub 2,

and to sustain these vertically stationary partstherefrom.

When my collective adjuster g is used with a bearing y which isvertically slideable on a vertically stationary shaft U, which.collectively rotates the adjustable rotary parts within the" innercasing 13, and when these parts are collectively sustained from thebearing y, as by vertically movable suspenders w, revclubly connected.to the bearing 1/, as by a collar 9:, this construction facilitatesdisposing and extending the collective suspension means inwardly of theadjustable parts and of the bearing for their drive shaft U, and pastand above this bearing, and permits disposing the collective adjuster 9above the drive gear p, and thereby facilitates its mathan said outlet,supplying material to be sep-'* arated in said upward passage, currentcirculation means in communication with said upward passage, upfiowing aseparating current therethrough, weight responsive material sustenancedistribution means within said upward passage, sustaining anddistributing therein said material, and weight responsively movable withvariations in the weight of said material sustained by said distributionmeans, varying the zone of said distribution with variations in saidWeight, comprising a distributor member below said orifice, definingsaid zone, movable current space variation means in communication withone cf'said passages, defining the space past said variation meansthrough which said current may flow, and varying said space and thevelocity of said current, and support means supporting said parts; thecombination therewith of simultaneous adjustment means common to saiddistribution means and said space variation means,

simultaneously adjusting one from the other of said movable parts, inoperative relation to each of said movable parts, and constructed andarranged to adjust said space variation means from said distributionmeans simultaneously with said weight responsive movement of the latter.

2. In a separator, comprising a casing enclosing a current passage, acasing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower current inlet andan upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communicationwith said passagasup ply means supplying material to be separated insaid upward passage, rotary blower means in communication with andupfiowing a separating current through said upward passage, comprisingspoke means extended above said outlet and fan blades above and aroundsaid outlet, rotary and movable distribution means within said upwardpassage, distributing therein said material and varying the zone of saiddistribue tion, rotary and movable current space Variation means incommunication with one of said passages, defining the space past saidcurrent space variation means through which said current may flow. andvarying said space and the velocity of said current, rotary shaft meansin operative relation to and rotating said rotary parts, said movableparts being relatively movable and being respectively movable relativelyto said shaft means, and support means for said parts; the combinationtherewith of simultaneous adjustment means in operative relation to andsimultaneously adjusting said movable parts, said adjustment meansincluding a motion change means mounted on said shaft means andconnected to said distribution means and said cur rent space variationmeans, and constructed and arranged to during simultaneous adjustmentmovement of said movable parts simultaneously move said distributionmeans and said current space variation means each relatively to theother and to said shaft means, and means for operating said adjustmentmeans.

3. In a separator, comprising a casing enclosing a current passage, acasing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower current inlet andan upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communicationwith said passage, supply means supplying material to be separated insaid upward passage, rotary blower means in communication with andupfiowing a separating current through said upward passage, comprisingspoke means extended above said outlet and fan blades above and aroundsaid outlet, rotary and movable distribution means with:

in said upward passage, distributing therein said material and varyingthe zone of said distribution, a rotary and movable current spacevariation means in communication with one of said passages, defining thespace past said current space variation means through which said currentmay flow, and varying said space and the velocity of said current,rotary shaft means in operative relation to and rotating said rotaryparts said movable parts being relatively movable and being respectivelymovable relatively to said shaft means, and support means for saidparts; the combination therewith of simultaneous adjustment means inoperative relation to and simultaneously adjusting said movable parts,said adjustment means including a motion reversal means-mounted on saidshaft means and connected to said distribution means and said currentspace variation means, and constructed and arranged to duringsimultaneous adjustment movement of said movableparts simultaneouslymove said distribution means and said current space variation meansrelatively to said shaft means and in reverse directions, and means foroperating said adjustment means.

4. In a separator, comprising a casing enclosing a current passage, acasing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower current inlet andan upward current passage and an upper current outletin communicationwith said passage, supply means supplying material to be separated insaid upward passage, current circulation means in communication with andupfiowing a separating current through said upward passage, movabledistribution means within said upward passage, distributing therein saidmaterial and varying the zone of said distribution, a movable valveabove and adjacent said outlet, defining the space past said valvethrough which said current may flow, and varying said space and thevelocity of said current, said movable parts being relatively movable,and support means for said parts; the combination therewith ofsimultaneous relative adjustment means common to and simultaneouslyadjusting said movable p-arts, in operative relation to said movableparts, and constructed and arranged to simultaneously relatively adjustsaid distribution means and said valve, and means for operating saidsimultaneous means.

5. In a separator, comprising a casing enclosing a current passage, acasing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower current inlet andan upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communicationwith said passage, supply means supplying material to be separated insaid upward passage, current circulation means in communication with andupfiowing a separating current through said upward passage, movabledistribution means within said upward passage, distributing therein saidmaterial and varying the zone of said distribution, a movable lowervalve below said distribution means and adjacent said inlet, definingthe space past said. valve through which said current may flow, andvarying said space and the velocity of said current, and support meansfor said parts; the combination therewith of a simultaneous adjustmentmeans in operative relation to and simultaneously adjusting saiddistribution means and said lower valve, and constructed and arranged tosimultaneously adjust said distribution means and said lower valve, andmeans for operating said. adjustment means.

6. In the separator specified in claim 4, said simultaneous relativeadjustment means being constructed and arranged to, during saidsimultaneous adjustment, adjust one of said relatively movable partsvertically relatively to the other

